The United States and China have agreed on a new raft of tougher U.N. sanctions against North Korea in response to Pyongyang's fifth and biggest nuclear test, a Security Council diplomat said Wednesday.

South Korean prosecutors on Wednesday raided offices of the Samsung Group and the state pension fund as the electronics giant is dragged further into a snowballing influence-peddling scandal engulfing President Park Geun-Hye.

South Korea's Cabinet on Tuesday approved a military intelligence-sharing agreement with Japan to better deal with threats from North Korea, officials said, despite the North's warning the deal would only deepen regional animosities.

South Korean prosecutors said Sunday that they believe President Park Geun-hye conspired in criminal activities of a confidante who allegedly exploited her presidential ties to amass an illicit fortune -- a damning revelation that may convince opposition parties to push for Park's impeachment.

South Korean President Park Geun-Hye colluded with her close confidante in a major influence-peddling scandal that has engulfed her government, prosecutors said Sunday, as they laid out charges against the longtime ally and two former presidential aides.